Nuclear Talks
- By RFE/RL
Trump's Shifting Stance On Iran Talks Sows Confusion In Tehran
US President Donald Trump said he is not speaking to Iran, a sharp reversal from last week when he announced that talks with Tehran were imminent, despite Iran denying any such plans.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote on June 30 that he is “not offering Iran anything…nor am I even talking to them since we totally obliterated their nuclear facilities.”
The United States bombed three key Iranian nuclear sites on June 22, including the heavily fortified underground facility in Fordow.
Trump appeared to be responding to comments by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who had questioned Trump’s earlier remarks about China being able to resume purchasing oil from Iran following the US-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Iran on June 24.
“Either President Trump doesn’t know his own administration has crippling sanctions on Iranian oil, or he doesn’t care if our adversaries violate our own sanctions policies. I don't know which is more alarming,” Coons wrote on X.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei on June 30 accused the Trump administration of making a habit of shifting positions.
“These constant shifts and mixed signals, which have become a regular pattern of US behavior over the past three or four months, are simply not something we can rely on,” he said at his weekly press briefing.
New Satellite Images Show Activity At Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site 1 Week After US Bombings
The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven on June 30 urged the resumption of negotiations for a deal to address Iran's nuclear program. A joint statement by the G7 foreign ministers also expressed support for a a cease-fire between Israel and Iran.
The extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program during the 12-day war with Israel remains unclear. Iran says its nuclear sites suffered extensive damages but has vowed to continue with its program, which it maintains is peaceful.
Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said last week that Iran could resume uranium enrichment “in a matter of months.”
“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared and there is nothing there,” he said.
- By RFE/RL
Iran's Guardian Council Approves Suspension Of Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog
Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, on June 26 approved parliament's move to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after the country’s nuclear sites were bombed over the weekend in the 12-day conflict with Israel.
The law, which was approved by lawmakers with a 221-0 vote a day earlier, will ultimately be decided upon by the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
The SNSC is technically led by the president, but like all key state institutions, it answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The plan to require the government to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency was not found to be contrary to Islamic law and the constitution after review by members of the Guardian Council," Hadi Tahan Nazif, a spokesman for the council, said in a post on X.
Israel launched an unprecedented attack on key Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas on June 13 in a war that claimed scores of civilian lives on both sides before it came to an end in a fragile cease-fire brokered by the United States on June 24.
On June 21, the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
New Satellite Images Show Damage And Clean Up At Iran's Nuclear Sites
The bill conditions the lifting of the suspension to guarantees that Iranian nuclear sites and scientists are safe and that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium domestically is assured.
Among Israel's targets in its attacks on Iran were scientists involved in Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to weaponize it.
Suspending cooperation with the IAEA means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Ahead of the vote by lawmakers, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the IAEA for what he said was the UN nuclear watchdog’s failure to “even pretend to condemn attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities” and accused it of “putting its international credibility for up for sale.”
As per protocol, Qalibaf announced that he had instructed the government to implement the law following its approval by the Guardian Council.
Tehran has long accused the IAEA of bias and working with Western powers and Israel against Iran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has for years complained about what he describes as Iran’s lack of cooperation with the agency over investigations into old but undeclared nuclear sites.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the agency until the security of nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will advance at a faster pace,” Qalibaf said in comments that were followed by lawmakers chanting “death to” America and Israel.
- By RFE/RL
Iran's Parliament Votes To Suspend Cooperation With UN Nuclear Watchdog
Iranian lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after the country’s nuclear sites were bombed over the weekend in the 12-day conflict with Israel.
The bill, which state media reported on June 25 as passing by a 221-0 vote, will need to be approved by the constitutional watchdog, the Guardians Council. The decision to implement it ultimately lies with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
The SNSC is technically led by the president, but like all key state institutions, it answers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israel launched an unprecedented attack on key Iranian nuclear and military sites as well as residential areas on June 13 in a war that claimed scores of civilian lives on both sides before it came to an end in a fragile cease-fire brokered by the United States on June 24.
On June 21, the United States struck three nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
"In view of the violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Zionist regime and the United States of America regarding the country’s peaceful nuclear facilities, and the endangerment of the supreme interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran… the government is obligated to immediately, upon the ratification of this law, suspend all cooperation with the IAEA under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT] and its related safeguards,” the text of the bill reads.
The bill, if ratified, will condition the lifting of the suspension to guarantees that Iranian nuclear sites and scientists are safe and that Tehran’s right to enrich uranium domestically is assured.
Among Israel's targets in its attacks on Iran were scientists involved in Iran's nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and does not seek to weaponize it.
Suspending cooperation with the IAEA means Iran will halt inspections, reporting, and oversight activities under the NPT.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the IAEA for what he said was the UN nuclear watchdog’s failure to “even pretend to condemn attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities” and accused it of “putting its international credibility for up for sale.”
Tehran has long accused the IAEA of bias and working with Western powers and Israel against Iran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has for years complained about what he describes as Iran’s lack of cooperation with the agency over investigations into old but undeclared nuclear sites.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend its cooperation with the agency until the security of nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will advance at a faster pace,” Qalibaf said in comments that were followed by lawmakers chanting “death to” America and Israel.
- By RFE/RL
Trump Says Cease-Fire In Effect After Expressing Anger Over Violations
(Editor's Note: Coarse language in fourth paragraph)
US President Donald Trump claimed a cease-fire between Iran and Israel was “in effect” on June 24 after lashing out at both sides for violating the agreement he brokered and calling for calm.
Taking questions as he prepared to leave Washington for a NATO summit at The Hague, Trump appeared angry with Israel over reports it was again striking targets inside the territory of its archenemy despite an agreement to hold fire.
“They [Iran] violated it, but Israel violated it, too,” Trump said. He added, ”I’m not happy with Israel."
“I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran, either, but I’m really unhappy with Israel going out this morning,” Trump said adding, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
Israel said it struck Iranian radar stations near Tehran and accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the truce was supposed to take effect. The Iranian military denied firing on Israel, state media reported.
Trump, who arrived later in Amsterdam to attend the NATO summit, said later the deal was saved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held off on a tougher strike against Iran after speaking to Trump.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he told US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that his country would respect the cease-fire unless Iran violated it. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian likewise said Iran would honor the ceasefire as long as Israel did, according to Iranian media.
Katz said earlier in the day that he had ordered the military to launch new strikes on targets in Tehran in response to what he said were Iranian missiles fired in a "blatant violation" of the cease-fire.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) admitted it had launched 14 missiles at military targets inside Israel, but claimed the operation was carried out minutes before the cease-fire took effect, according to the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the group.
Pezeshkian announced the "end of the 12-day war" imposed by Israel in a message to the nation carried by IRNA.
"Today, after the heroic resistance of our great nation, whose determination makes history, we are witnessing the establishment of a truce and the ending of this 12-day war imposed by the adventurism and provocation" of Israel, Pezeshkian said.
Earlier, Trump said no Americans were harmed and hardly any damage was done when Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, adding in a social media post that he hopes both Iran and Israel will "now proceed to Peace and Harmony."
Trump called it a "very weak response" to the US "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities in an attack over the weekend and thanked Iran for giving the United States early notice, which he said made it possible to prevent the loss of life and injuries.
Many experts saw it as a sign that Iran did not want to escalate the crisis, given the limited strike against US interests and the fact that Tehran had given Washington prior notice.
Qatar had previously said its air defenses thwarted the attack, which it said targeted the US air base, and said there were no casualties.
"The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base," the government said in a statement. "Thanks to God and the vigilance of the armed forces personnel and the precautionary measures taken, the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries."
Multiple explosions rocked Doha after Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace amid regional fears of escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Iran, which confirmed it had fired several missiles at an air base in Qatar, had earlier threatened to retaliate against US strikes on its Fordow nuclear plant the day before, mentioning US air bases in the region.
The Qatari Defense Ministry statement also condemned the attack, calling it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and airspace and said it "maintains the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the scale."
Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on June 24 that relations with Tehran were damaged by the attack but that he hoped ties would eventually "come back to normal."
"The partnership between Qatar and the US is just growing stronger...and I hope the good relationship with Iran comes back to normal as soon as possible," he said.
Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, and it is the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Several thousand US military personnel are located at the facility.
The US Embassy in Qatar lifted a shelter-in-place order following Iranian strikes. The embassy -- which had issued the directive to American citizens earlier on June 23 -- said it would reopen on June 24.
- By RFE/RL
Trump Announces ‘Complete And Total’ Cease-Fire In Israel-Iran Conflict
US President Donald Trump, in a stunning Truth Social post, declared that a “complete and total” cease-fire had been agreed to in the conflict between Israel and Iran, due to take effect in phased steps, bringing an end to what he called the “12-day war.”
Trump on June 23 said the cease-fire will begin in "approximately six hours" and initially be for 12 hours, “at which point the War will be considered, ENDED.”
Some details remained unclear following Trump’s detailed social media post.
No immediate statement was offered by Iran or Israel. It was not stated if Iran had agreed to terms set down by the United States demanding the end to uranium enrichment.
“CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE!” Trump posted.
"It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!”
“Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.”
Trump said that during the cease-fire, both sides will remain “peaceful and respectful.”
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, THE 12 DAY WAR.”
“This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn’t, and never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
As Trump posted the remarks, drone alerts and attacks were still being reported in both Israel and Iran.
Earlier, Trump said no Americans were harmed and hardly any damage was done when Iran fired missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on June 23, adding in a social media post that he hopes both Iran and Israel will "now proceed to Peace and Harmony."
Trump called it a "very weak response" to the US "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities in an attack over the weekend and thanked Iran for giving the United States early notice, which he said made it possible to prevent the loss of life and injuries.
Many experts saw it as a sign that Iran did not want to escalate the crisis, given the limited strike against US interests and the fact that Tehran had given Washington prior notice.
"There have been 14 missiles fired -- 13 were knocked down, and 1 was 'set free' because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction," Trump said on Truth Social. He said the Iranians have now "gotten it all out of their 'system' and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE."
He suggested that Iran "can now proceed to Peace and Harmony in the Region," adding that he would "enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same."
The US Defense Department earlier confirmed that Iran had launched multiple short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in the attack and said there were no reports of US casualties.
Qatar had previously said its air defenses thwarted the attack, which it said targeted the US air base, and said there were no casualties.
"The Ministry of Defense announced that Qatari air defenses successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base," the government said in a statement. "Thanks to God and the vigilance of the armed forces personnel and the precautionary measures taken, the incident resulted in no deaths or injuries."
Multiple explosions rocked Doha after Qatar and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace amid regional fears of escalation between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Iran, which confirmed it had fired several missiles at an air base in Qatar, had earlier threatened to retaliate against US strikes on its Fordow nuclear plant the day before, mentioning US air bases in the region.
The Qatari Defense Ministry statement also condemned the attack, calling it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and airspace and said it "maintains the right to respond directly in a manner proportional to the scale."
The ministry also warned that continued military escalation would undermine regional security and stability and push the region toward a point with potentially disastrous repercussions for international peace and security.
Saudi Arabia also condemned Iran's "unjustifiable" attack on Qatar and offered to deploy "all its capabilities" to support Doha.
"This is unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances," Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The Kingdom affirms its solidarity and full support for...Qatar and offers all its capabilities to support the sisterly State of Qatar in any measures it takes."
Ahead of the attack on Doha, the US and UK foreign offices issued warnings to their respective citizens against possible attacks, urging them to shelter in place out of caution. Many countries in the region closed their airspace and later reopened it.
Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East, and it is the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM). Several thousand US military forces are located at Al Udeid Air Base.
The US Embassy in Qatar lifted a shelter-in-place order following Iranian strikes. The embassy, which had told American citizens to shelter in place earlier on June 23, said in a notice posted on its website that it would reopen on June 24.
- By Kian Sharifi
Analysis: Iran's Attack On US Air Base In Qatar Highly Symbolic
The Iranian missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar was a highly symbolic act, carefully calibrated to send a message of resolve while avoiding a broader and more destructive conflict.
Iran explicitly stated that the number of missiles launched late on June 23 matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites, signaling its intent to deliver a proportional response rather than escalate the situation uncontrollably.
This symmetry in action highlights Iran's desire to demonstrate it will not leave attacks on its territory unanswered but also that it does not seek a full-scale war.
Why Did Iran Target The Al Udeid Air Base?
The Al Udeid Air Base serves as the largest US military installation in the Middle East and is the forward headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the region. Satellite images on June 20 indicated that the United States had removed around 40 military aircraft of various types from the base.
A key aspect of the strike's symbolic nature was the clear effort to minimize casualties and collateral damage. The attack targeted Al Udeid, but Iran emphasized that it chose a base outside populated areas and, according to Qatari officials, the strike resulted in no injuries.
Such restraint indicates that Iran's objective was not to inflict mass casualties but to make a political and military statement. By providing advance warning and carefully selecting targets, Iran allowed the United States and its allies to take precautions, thereby further reducing the risk of unintended escalation.
Iran Signals It Is Open To De-Escalation
This approach mirrors the response to the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force who was widely described as the second-most powerful man in Iran. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at an Iraqi air base housing US troops in January 2020, which was also preceded by warnings and resulted in no fatalities.
In both cases, Iran sought to satisfy domestic demands for retribution while signaling to the international community, especially regional actors and global powers, that it was open to de-escalation.
This tactic provides all sides with a potential off-ramp from further conflict, allowing leaders to claim they have acted decisively without crossing thresholds that would make diplomatic solutions impossible.
- By Kian Sharifi
What Comes Next: Iran's Options After US Strikes On Its Nuclear Sites
US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have upended the already tense standoff between Tehran, Washington, and Israel, raising urgent questions about what comes next -- and just how far Iran might go in its retaliation.
Tehran faces the difficult task of crafting a response that is neither too weak to appear powerless nor too forceful to risk further escalation.
Analysts warn that Iran's options are varied, but all carry significant risks of escalation.
"Iran could retaliate in a number of ways. First, and most obvious, is the option to attack US military bases in the region, especially Iraq," said Colin Clarke, director of research at The Soufan Group.
He told RFE/RL that the Iranians could either do this on their own or through the prominent Iraq-based Shi'ite militia Kataib Hezbollah.
While targeting US bases is a threat often voiced by Iranian military figures, the risks associated with the move are not lost on the Iranian authorities. That could explain why Fars news agency, an outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), on June 22 tried to suggest the US strikes were merely a distraction to goad Iran into attacking US bases and shift its attention away from Israel.
Another option, Clarke said, was getting Yemen's Houthi rebels to strike at the Persian Gulf Arab states, as occurred back in June 2019, when the group targeted Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure with drones, shutting down half of the kingdom's oil production.
One "concerning possibility" is Iran relying on asymmetric methods, such as an attack by sleeper cells in the United States linked to its proxies.
The Strait of Hormuz: Desperation Or Deterrence?
Amid a surge of rhetoric in Tehran about closing the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments -- US officials have issued stern warnings.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both cautioned Iran against such a move, calling it "suicidal" given it would hurt Iran's own economy because it uses the waterway to export oil, mostly to China.
Some experts are skeptical Iran could meaningfully close the strait or that doing so would be sustainable.
Danielle Pletka, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told RFE/RL Iran lacks the capacity "to seriously close the Strait of Hormuz" and that ultimately it would harm Iran as well.
"What we would see is that the entire world would unite against Iran. If they try to do that, it will immediately bring in the United States," Pletka argued.
The move may "not win Tehran many friends in the world" but it could be one of Iran's last cards to play, according to Clarke.
"In some ways, it could be an act of desperation as they pull out all of the stops in an effort to get Israel to cease bombing," he said.
‘Already At War'
While senior US officials insist the strikes do not signal a declaration of war, they have made clear any Iranian retaliation will draw a forceful American response.
Fred Fleitz, a former chief of staff at the US National Security Council who spoke to RFE/RL before the United States carried out its attack, argued the notion of "retaliation" may mischaracterize the situation.
"Iran is already at war with the United States," he said. "This is a rogue state that's been at war with the US, with Israel, and with many other nations for a long time."
Tehran's next move could be consequential, with the stability of the region at stake.
"At this point, I think if the United States came under serious or sustained attack, all bets are off, and the bombing would expand and escalate," Clarke warned.
"The United States would essentially join Israel in destroying the regime and everything related to it."
- By Kian Sharifi
Iran Threatens Nuclear Exit And Oil Choke Point As War With Israel Escalates
Amid an escalating Israeli air campaign against Iran, calls are mounting in Tehran to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil routes.
The archenemies have been trading fire since June 13 after Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, military bases, and residential areas in a bid to hinder Tehran’s program and eliminate top military leadership.
Detailed Satellite Images Show Impact Of Israeli Strikes On Iranian Facilities
Several high-profile Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders and nuclear scientists have been killed in the attacks. Iran’s Health Ministry said on June 15 that 224 people, including children, had been killed.
At least 24 people, including civilians, have been killed in Iranian counterstrikes, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel said it launched its attack because it had concluded that Iran was weeks, if not days, away from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran rejects the claim, insisting that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Iran’s parliament is moving forward with a bill to withdraw from the NPT, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei announced on June 16. Iranian officials are also threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz if the attacks continue.
But experts warn Tehran’s threats may be more about political theater than imminent change.
NPT Withdrawal: More Bark Than Bite?
Hard-line Iranian lawmaker Hamid Rasaee over the weekend charged that there was no point in remaining in the NPT since it had failed to protect Iran’s nuclear sites from attacks.
Fellow hard-line legislator Mohammad Mannan weighed in, announcing that a high-priority bill would be submitted to the parliament to push ahead with the withdrawal.
Despite the heated rhetoric in Tehran, experts say Iran is unlikely to actually leave the treaty anytime soon.
“For now, Iran appears unlikely to withdraw from the NPT, despite growing pressure from hard-liners,” Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told RFE/RL.
Even if the parliament passes the bill, it needs to be approved by the Guardians Council, Iran’s constitutional watchdog whose members are -- directly and indirectly -- appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s commander in chief who has the final say on all state matters.
Azizi argued that withdrawing from the NPT would effectively gut Iran’s legal defense.
“Tehran has so far based its defense at the international level on the assertion that Israel’s actions are unlawful, citing the absence of an imminent threat. Exiting the NPT would undermine this line entirely.”
In 2010, Khamenei issued a fatwa -- a religious ruling -- declaring the use of nuclear weapons as "haram," or forbidden under Islamic law, and stating that Iran would not pursue them.
Iranian officials have frequently pointed to this decree as proof that the Islamic republic has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.
However, analysts argue that the fatwa does not present a serious obstacle to Iran acquiring a bomb. They note that Iran could carry out much of the necessary work while the fatwa remains in place, and Khamenei could simply revoke it at a later stage if a decision were made to move forward.
Baqaei said on June 16 that, despite legislative efforts to initiate Iran's withdrawal from the NPT, Tehran is not looking to acquire nuclear weapons.
Strait Of Hormuz: High Stakes, Low Odds
Hard-line media and several officials have again raised the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz -- a move that would threaten nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply. But Gregory Brew, a senior Iran and oil analyst at the New York-based Eurasia Group, says it’s a threat Tehran is unlikely to carry out.
“Closing the strait is Iran's last big card to play,” Brew told RFE/RL. “It has the means of essentially blockading the waterway…by deploying short-range ballistic missiles, naval vessels, and mines.”
But attempting to blockade the strategic strait would have major ramifications, such as “immediately” triggering a response from the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
“If war with Israel is proving very damaging, war with the US (and the GCC) would be much worse,” Brew said.
Economically, closing the Strait of Hormuz would also hurt Iran itself because it is using the waterway to export oil, mostly to China.
“So long as that continues, I don't think it will act on its threats,” Brew added.
What Is Uranium Enrichment?
Did you know that the same technology used to power a city can also be used to build a nuclear bomb?
Uranium enrichment is a process that increases the amount of uranium-235 in natural uranium, making it usable as fuel for nuclear reactors or, at much higher levels, for nuclear weapons. Natural uranium contains only about 0.7 percent uranium-235, which isn’t enough for most applications. Enrichment boosts this percentage, allowing uranium to serve different purposes.
The level of enrichment is crucial. Low-enriched uranium (3–5 percent uranium-235) powers most nuclear reactors, while research reactors may use uranium enriched up to 20 percent. To make a nuclear weapon, uranium must be enriched to at least 90 percent -- known as weapons-grade uranium.
The closer a country gets to this level, the greater the international concern.
Iran’s nuclear program remains in the spotlight because of its uranium enrichment activities. While Iran insists its program is for peaceful energy and medical research, the same technology can be used to make nuclear weapons if enrichment continues to higher levels.
In recent years, Iran has produced uranium enriched up to 60 percent, a significant technical step closer to weapons-grade material. This has raised concerns about how quickly Iran could produce weapons-grade uranium if it chose to do so.
Iran is currently the only country without nuclear weapons that is enriching uranium to 60 percent purity. It increased enrichment from 20 percent to 60 percent in April 2021, following a sabotage attack on its Natanz nuclear facility, which Iran blamed on Israel.
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution declaring that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations. The Board cited Iran’s failure to cooperate fully regarding undeclared nuclear materials and activities. Iran criticized the resolution and announced plans to launch a new enrichment site and expand its enrichment capabilities.
Who Were The 8 Iranian Generals Killed In The Israeli Attack?
Israel's military claimed its air strikes killed another two Iranian generals, bringing the number of senior military commanders killed over two days of attacks to eight.
Of those, at least three are with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the country's preeminent military force.
Israel said the unprecedented strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic missile factories, as well as several nuclear scientists, and were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing an atomic weapon.
Here's a look at who the generals reportedly killed were:
Hossein Salami
Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) since 2019. Salami was under international sanctions since 2006 as "an individual involved in Iran's ballistic missile program," according to a UN Security Council resolution. He was on separate sanctions lists in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and Japan.
Mohammad Baqeri
Major General Mohammad Baqeri, chief-of-staff of the Iranian armed forces since 2016 and officially the second-most powerful figure in the military after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Baqeri rose through the ranks of the IRGC, which dominates the upper echelons of Iran's military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular military operations, and internal security. The IRGC is officially designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.
Gholam Ali Rashid
Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, deputy commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces, one of the most respected military figures. Since 2015, he has been the commander of the central headquarters of Khatam-ol-Anbia, the military's highest operational military unit. Since 2016, this headquarters has been separated from the General Staff and is responsible for operational command and control.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh
Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force since 2009. Under US sanctions since 2019, Hajizadeh was a key figure in Iran's missile and drone program and played a central role in recent Iranian operations against Israel. He became an internationally renowned face when he appeared on live television to admit that the IRGC had shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in January 2020, blaming it on human error.
Mehdi Rabani
Brigadier General Mehdi Rabani, deputy head of operations for the armed forces’ general staff since 2016. He joined the IRGC during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and rose through ranks in the years after war, serving as the IRGC’s deputy head of operations for five years before moving to the general staff of the armed forces.
Gholamreza Mehrabi
Brigadier General Gholamreza Mehrabi, the deputy director for intelligence for the general staff. Known for maintaining a low profile -- a common trait among Iranian military intelligence figures -- there is no publicly available information regarding the date of his appointment. However, public statements attributed to him indicate that he had been serving in this role since at least 2013.
Davud Sheikhiyan
Brigadier General Davud Sheikhiyan, commander of the Air Defense Division of the IRGC Aerospace Force. While the exact date of his appointment is not officially documented, he was still identified as the deputy commander of the division as recently as November 2024, indicating that his promotion took place shortly thereafter.
Masud Shane’i
General Masud Shane’i, chief of staff to slain IRGC commander-in-chief Salami. Very little is known about him, with Iran media reporting that he was killed along with Salami.
- By Nathan Hodge
Israel's Strikes On Iran Test Putin's Position As Potential Mideast Broker
Israel's strikes against Iran's nuclear complex and military leadership have sent shock waves around the globe, raising fears of escalation and a wider war in the region. But the shock-and-awe campaign also reverberated in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has positioned himself as a powerful interlocutor with Tehran.
Russia's response to the strikes was swift and unequivocal. In a lengthy statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its "utmost concern about the dangerous escalation of tensions in the Middle East" and accused Israel of violating international law.
"Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful sleeping cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable," the statement read.
"The international community cannot afford to remain indifferent to such atrocities that destroy peace and harm regional and international security."
The ministry said the timing of the attacks showed "particular cynicism," noting the Israeli strikes occurred during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors and just ahead of an anticipated sixth round of negotiations between representatives of Iran and the United States over Tehran's advancing nuclear ambitions.
That statement may strike some as cynical -- the phrase "sleeping cities" could easily refer to Russia's continued bombardment of Ukraine -- but the geopolitical impact of the strikes on Russia is clear. Israel's military campaign tests Iran's strategic partnership with Russia, and it potentially deprives the Kremlin of a valuable card when it comes to negotiating with Washington over Ukraine.
In a recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin leader put himself forward as a possible broker of an agreement with Iran.
Posting on TruthSocial, Trump said, "I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion."
Earlier this week, Moscow floated potential details about the role it could play in reining in Iran's nuclear program, suggesting Russia could help resolve tensions by exporting Iran's nuclear material for conversion into reactor fuel.
Israel's military moves against Iran, however, may potentially scupper diplomatic efforts to limit or reverse Tehran's nuclear program.
What's more, the strikes also targeted the leadership of Iran's military establishment, which has supplied Russia with inexpensive drone technology for waging war on Ukraine.
Russia has shifted production of the Shahed drones that routinely strike Ukrainian cities to its own facilities. But in a statement in response to Israel's strikes, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called out Iran as part of a "group of aggressive regimes" that threaten international security. That group also includes North Korea.
"We would like to remind you that the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and provides Moscow with weapons to kill Ukrainians," the statement read. "Iran is the source of many problems in the Middle East and beyond."
Russia and Iran have deepened ties that were forged through their support of the now-ousted regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian signed a strategic partnership deal during a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in January.
That partnership, however, has its limits.
Commenting on X, Hanna Notte of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies wrote, "Don't forget: the Strategic Partnership Treaty does not include mutual defense commitments of the type Moscow provided to DPRK [North Korea] & Belarus," noting that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko recently clarified that Russia is not obliged to come to Iran's defense should it be attacked.
Russia is not the only country in the post-Soviet space condemning Israel's actions.
International Reaction To Israeli Strikes
In a post on X, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said, "the unilateral attack against Iran is deeply concerning. Taking place especially ahead of the next round of negotiations, it endangers the peaceful efforts as well as overall regional stability & global peace. We condemn such action & call for immediate cessation of hostilities & adherence to international law."
Azerbaijan, which like Armenia borders Iran, also condemned the escalation.
"We are seriously concerned about the military operations carried out by the State of Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"We strongly condemn the escalation of the situation and urge the parties to resolve the existing disagreements only through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with the norms and principles of international law."
Turkey, meanwhile, issued a strong condemnation of Israel, calling the attacks "a blatant violation of international law" and "a provocation that serves Israel's strategic destabilization policy in the region."
Statements from European capitals were somewhat more circumspect.
In a social media post, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for "restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy" following the strikes.
"Escalation serves no one in the region," Starmer said. "Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a similar call for restraint while not pointing a finger of blame in any direction.
"Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation," she wrote on X. "A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region's stability and global security."
Whether this conflict comes to a swift resolution remains unclear.
In a post on TruthSocial, Trump seemed to suggest Iran still had the ability to come to the table.
"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," he wrote . "No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!"
Whether Putin could play his promised role in such dealmaking, then, also remains an open question.
- By Kian Sharifi
Israel's Attack On Iran Stuns Military But Could Empower Tehran's Nuclear Drive
Israel’s large-scale assault on Iran appears to have stunned the country’s military leadership and may have delayed an immediate retaliatory strike.
But it remains unclear whether it achieved its primary objective: crippling Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel claims Tehran is on the verge of weaponizing despite claims from Iran that it is solely for civilian purposes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have alleged Iran recently accelerated uranium enrichment and weaponization efforts to the point where it could produce a nuclear weapon within months -- or even days.
Operation Rising Lion, as Israel has named the strikes, targeted key components of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure -- including the Natanz enrichment facility -- as well as military installations in and around Tehran.
Israeli warplanes also struck missile production facilities and residential buildings believed to house top military officials and nuclear scientists. Among those reportedly killed was Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), though Iran has not confirmed his death.
The objective, Israeli officials say, was to degrade both Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its ability to retaliate using its extensive ballistic missile arsenal -- a threat Israel sees as second only to a nuclear-armed Iran.
“Netanyahu has opened a new chapter in the Middle East -- an era of Israeli-Iranian nuclear war,” wrote Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, on X.
“A war whose stated goal is to stop Iran’s nuclear program, but whose actual aim appears to be targeting the very foundations of the Iranian regime.”
High-Stakes Gamble
Security analysts describe the operation as a preemptive gamble -- an attempt to avert what Israel sees as an existential threat, but one that risks igniting a regional war, derailing diplomacy, and even accelerating Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Danny Citrinonwicz, a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said the strike dealt a significant blow to Iran’s prestige by penetrating its air defenses and eliminating senior commanders.
But, he argued, its impact on Iran’s nuclear program was “limited,” as key facilities -- including the heavily fortified Fordow site -- remain intact.
“This is just the opening phase of a longer campaign,” Citrinonwicz wrote on X. “Israel appears to be holding back some cards for the likely escalation ahead.”
What Are Iran’s Options?
The sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled for June 15, is now unlikely to proceed. With diplomacy appearing to have fallen by the wayside, any Iranian response risks deepening a cycle of escalation.
Iran’s immediate reaction came in the form of around 100 Shahed drones launched toward Israel -- many of which were intercepted outside Israeli airspace.
Iranian leaders have also repeated warnings that they would retaliate against both Israel and US forces in the region. Although Washington has denied involvement in the strike, Iran may still hold it responsible.
Should Tehran go through with its threat to target U.S. military bases, it could drag Washington into a broader conflict.
According to US intelligence estimates, Iran possesses some 2,000 missiles -- many capable of carrying warheads with more than 900 kilograms of explosives -- and is producing roughly 50 ballistic missiles per month. It remains unclear how much of this capability was affected by the Israeli assault.
Iran’s regional proxies, long viewed as force multipliers, have been severely degraded. The Gaza war has battered the US-designated Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, and the Lebanese Hezbollah is still reeling from recent clashes with Israel. That leaves the Houthis in Yemen as Tehran’s most militarily viable ally.
Tehran may also consider withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the cornerstone of global nuclear arms control. While US intelligence -- contrary to Israeli assessments -- currently believes that Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, the Islamic republic could use the Israeli attack to justify abandoning its NPT obligations and moving toward weaponization.
“Netanyahu’s government may have just handed the Iranian regime both domestic and international legitimacy to pursue nuclear weapons,” Etzion warned.
- By RFE/RL
Trump Calls On Tehran To Negotiate 'Before It's Too Late' As Israeli Strikes Intensify
US President Donald Trump warned Iran to make a nuclear deal "before it is too late" as Israel continued to conduct air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and other sites across Iran that have already killed a top general and two other military officials.
Meanwhile, US officials told news agencies that US ground-based air defense systems were helping to shoot down missiles that Iran had fired off in retaliation toward Israel.
One of the officials told AP -- speaking on the condition of anonymity -- that US jets and warships had not so far been used in the operation, but further details were not immediately available.
Separately, a White House official said Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone, but details of the call were not disclosed.
Trump also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Keir Starmer and about the situation, officials said.
Iran reportedly launched scores of drones and missiles at Israeli sites in response to the June 13 attacks.
Jordan's military also said it had intercepted a number of projectiles over its air space.
An AP journalist reported seeing smoke rising in Tel Aviv after a missile strike, while a hospital in the region said it was treating 15 injured civilians. Israeli rescue crews later said 34 people had been injured in the Iranian missile attacks.
Among the sites hit in Iran were the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) command site in Tehran, according to Iranian state TV. The strike killed the commander of the corps, Major General Hossein Salami, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Iran's representative told the UN that 78 people had been killed and more than 320 had been injured in the Israeli strikes.
The Israeli military said it was prepared to continue the attacks "for as long as necessary."
Trump, who has been pressing for negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran's nuclear program, wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "There is still time to make this slaughter...come to an end,"
"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire...JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."
Trump said later in an interview with ABC News that Iran "got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come, a lot more.”
Netanyahu said the strikes aimed "to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival and that it would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."
"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility at Natanz.... We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," he said in a video statement. Israel also hit Iranian nuclear scientists "working on the Iranian bomb," he added.
Israel's military said some 200 jets were involved in the massive raid, and Israeli TV reported that the Mossad intelligence agency may have set up a secret base inside Iran as part of the effort.
Iran's supreme leader warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences for launching the attacks.
"With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement.
Natanz Nuclear Facility Targeted
The Natanz uranium enrichment facility was hit "several times," state TV reported, showing images of heavy smoke billowing from the site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Natanz had been a target but said it had not detected increased radiation levels at the site. Two other facilities linked to Iran's nuclear program -- Isfahan and Fordow -- were not affected, the agency said.
In a statement issued after the attacks, the Israeli Defense Forces asserted that Iran was "nearing the point of no return" in its efforts to build a nuclear weapon.
"The regime is producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified enrichment compounds, in underground, fortified sites," it said.
In its latest report, the IAEA said Iran has sharply increased its production of highly enriched uranium, stockpiling 408.6 kilograms enriched to 60 percent -- up from just under 275 kilograms in February. The 60-percent figure is well above the threshold needed for a weapon.
Residential areas in Tehran and several other cities also were hit, according to the official IRNA news agency, which reported that the strikes killed a number of people, including women and children, in a residential complex in Tehran.
Iran Launches Drone Attack In Retaliation
Israel said Iran launched about 100 drones toward it in retaliation, but did not say if there were any direct hits or damage.
Several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace, and Jordan's state news agency said a number of missiles and drones that had entered its airspace were intercepted.
The United States, Israel's strongest ally, said Washington was not involved in the operation.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Israel advised Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense. He also warned Iran against targeting US interests or personnel.
The White House said Trump was set to attend a National Security Council meeting on the subject later June 13.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a "special situation" in Israel in anticipation of a possible retaliatory strike by Iran "in the immediate timeframe."
The United States and Iran have been holding tense, high-level negotiations on Iran's nuclear ambitions. A sixth round of talks had been scheduled for June 15 in Oman.
Iran has consistently claimed its nuclear efforts are solely for civilian and not military uses.
Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.
In a phone conversation with Trump earlier this week, Netanyahu raised the possibility of strikes against Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal, and Trump urged Netanyahu to hold off as negotiations continue.
In a social media post on June 12, Trump said the United States wanted to negotiate with Iran, though he also warned that an Israeli strike on Iran was likely.
Earlier on June 12, the IAEA formally declaring Iran "noncompliant" with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time since 2005.
The 35-member IAEA board voted 19-3 with 11 abstentions to adopt the resolution, which had been put forward by the United States and its trio of European allies -- Britain, France, and Germany.
The finding prompted a defiant response from Iran, which announced that a new enrichment site with new enrichment centrifuges would be set up at Fordow.
With reporting by AP and Reuters
- By RFE/RL
Iran Vows To Respond After IAEA Passes Noncompliance Resolution
The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors has passed a resolution formally declaring Iran noncompliant with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time since 2005, a move Tehran immediately condemned.
The resolution, which was adopted on June 12 during a quarterly meeting of the IAEA board, can facilitate the return of UN sanctions against Iran later this year.
In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that a new enrichment site would be established in a safe zone and first-generation (IR-1) centrifuges in the Fordow site will be replaced with advanced sixth-generation (IR-6) machines.
"As we have previously stated, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution," the ministry said in a statement.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said later that the new facility had already been built and will become operational once equipped with centrifuges.
The 35-member IAEA board voted 19-3 with 11 abstentions to adopt the resolution, which had been put forward by the United States and its trio of European allies -- Britain, France, Germany, also known as the E3.
"Iran's many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the Agency with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran...constitutes noncompliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement," the resolution says, according to the AP.
The resolution also finds that the IAEA's "inability...to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful gives rise to questions that are within the competence of the UN Security Council, as the organ bearing the main responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security."
Tehran has not said whether the adoption of the resolution will result in the scrapping of the sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States on June 15 in Oman.
Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.
On June 11, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that if the objective of any agreement is to guarantee Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, a deal is achievable.
However, he emphasized that Iran must retain the right to enrich uranium -- an element that US President Donald Trump has firmly opposed including in any agreement -- for its civilian nuclear program.
Tehran claims its nuclear efforts are solely for civilian and not military uses.
Meanwhile, Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran and is awaiting Trump’s green-light in case diplomacy fails. Iran has warned that it will strike US bases in the region if attacked.
Trump said the United States is still seeking to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy.
"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on June 12 on his Truth Social platform.
"My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he added.
With reporting by the AP
US Reduces Nonessential Staff At Baghdad Embassy As Tensions With Iran Rise
The United States is reducing the number of people deemed nonessential to operations in the Middle East, the State Department announced on June 11 amid reports that the US Embassy in Baghdad is preparing for an emergency evacuation due to increased security risks in the region.
The United States is also authorizing nonessential personnel and family members to leave Bahrain and Kuwait, giving them a choice on whether to leave.
An Iraqi Foreign Ministry official confirmed the "limited departure" of US Embassy staff, saying the decision was based on "possible security concerns related to regional tensions."
US-Iran Nuclear Talks Stall Again
Tensions are on the rise in the region as nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran appear to have hit an impasse and after 18 months of war in Gaza that has raised fears of a wider war.
The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the economic sanctions that the United States has imposed on Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Iran has said the next round of talks with the United States will be held on June 15 in Oman. Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Muscat and discuss the Iranian response, according to US media reports quoting a US official.
The United States has a military presence in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
A US official said there had been no change in the status of al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East, and that there had been no evacuation orders for employees or families associated with the US Embassy in Qatar, Reuters reported.
Trump: Iran 'Can't Have a Nuclear Weapon'
President Donald Trump said people are “being moved out” from the “dangerous” Middle East in response to a question about the reports that nonessential employees were given a chance to leave.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump said as he entered the Kennedy Center in Washington for an evening performance. “They can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, referring to Iran and the nuclear talks.
In an interview published on June 11, Trump said his confidence that Iran would agree to a deal on its nuclear program was much lower than it was a few months ago.
Speaking in a New York Post podcast released on June 11, Trump said he does "not know" whether he could get Tehran to cease its nuclear activities.
"I don't know. I did think so, and I'm getting more and more -- less confident about it," the US president said.
“They seem to be delaying, and I think that’s a shame. I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them,” he said in the interview, which was recorded on June 9.
Risk Of Conflict With Iran Grows
Trump has not ruled out military action against Iranian nuclear sites if diplomacy fails, and US intelligence suggests Israel has been preparing to strike Iran if negotiations collapse.
Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said earlier on June 11 that if the nuclear talks fail and a conflict with Washington breaks out, Tehran would retaliate by hitting US bases in the region.
Iran's UN mission posted a statement on X saying threats of the use of force "won't change facts: Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon and U.S. militarism only fuels instability."
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